Central Austin
'A Christmas Carol' at ZACH Theatre
Join the opening weekend of "A Christmas Carol" at ZACH Theatre. The musical follows Ebenezer Scrooge on a journey with ghosts of Christmas past, present and future. The showing is open to all ages, but is recommended for ages 6 and up. The production will use strobe lighting and haze effects. It’s the 10th anniversary of the show at the Austin theater, and performances run through Dec. 29.
- Nov. 20-Dec. 29, 2:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m.
- Ticket prices vary
- 202 S. Lamar Blvd., Austin
- www.zachtheatre.org/2024-25-season
The 49th annual holiday market has arrived at the Palmer Events Center. Hosted by the Junior League of Austin, the market will feature over 230 vendors across the country. Attendees can purchase tickets for additional activities such as pictures with Santa, candle workshops, holiday decoration workshops and a mahjong tournament. The market is the Junior League of Austin’s largest fundraiser, and proceeds go toward operations, outreach and programming focused on women and community empowerment.
- Nov. 21-24, times vary
- $25 per day
- 900 Barton Springs Road, Austin
- www.jlaustin.org/a-christmas-affair
Shop and swap records at the central Austin bar this Friday. The event will feature a live DJ set by Austin-based DJ Sue Purr. The event is open to the public and all ages.
- Nov. 22, 7 p.m.
- Free entry
- 2908 Fruth St., Austin
- www.tweedysbar.com
Enjoy a walk through the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center illuminated with holiday light-installations and decorations. Holiday-themed cocktails and other food and drinks are available for purchase at the park. Tickets must be purchased in advance.
- Nov. 22-Jan. 5, entry 5:45-7:45 p.m., exhibit ends 9 p.m.
- $28 adult ticket, $18 children aged 3-12
- 4801 La Crosse Ave., Austin
- www.wildflower.org/luminations
Celebrate the cold weather with a warm specialty hot chocolate at the Omni Hotel. The drink experience includes a Valrhona dark hot chocolate, roasted marshmallows and a chocolate pour-over.
- Fridays and Saturdays Nov. 15-Jan. 15, 3-5 p.m.
- Free (admission)
- 700 San Jacinto Blvd., Austin
- https://www.omnihotels.com/hotels/austin-downtown
Join a party to watch the last University of Texas home football game of the regular season. Toss will have drink specials, including $4 Dos Equis, $5 micheladas and $5 bloody marys. Reservations are encouraged. Toss will also have a watch party at its Bee Cave location.
- Nov. 23, kickoff at 2:30 p.m.
- Free (admission)
- 2901 S. First, Ste. 102, Austin
- www.tosspizzeria.com
The festival, celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, includes a marketplace with women-led cooperatives from around the world. The two-day event will also feature live music, spoken-word poetry, a silent auction and limited-edition screen-printed merchandise.
- Nov. 23-24, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Free (admission)
- 4700 Grover Ave., Austin
- www.atcf.org
The market will have over 175 vendors at the Waterloo Park grounds. Guests can also take part in various workshops, visit other pop-up booths and see live performances and DJ sets by local artists. The artist and vendor lineup focuses primarily on highlighting women and people with LGBTQ+ identities. The market is free and open to the public, but reservations are encouraged.
- Nov. 23-24, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Free (admission)
- 500 E. 12th St., Austin
- www.futurefronttexas.org
Celebrity lookalike contests have made their way to Austin. Visit Auditorium Shores on Sunday to see which attendee looks most like "Twisters" and "Hit Man" actor Glen Powell.
- Nov. 24, 1 p.m.
- Free
- 900 W. Riverside Drive, Austin
- https://partiful.com/e/myXnqUemmeE2OBUNzevM
Peppermint Parkway at Circuit of the Americas
Drive through the parkway decked with light-installations and dancing characters along the way. Guests can take part in various activities and games at Peppermint Plaza and purchase food and drinks at the event. Guests can purchase additional tickets to ride a 25 mph lap on the Formula 1 Circuit.
- Nov. 22-Dec. 29, 5-10 p.m.
- $45+
- 9201 Circuit of the Americas Blvd., Del Valle
- www.peppermintparkway.com/#tickets
Join Austin Swappin’s last clothing swap of the year this Saturday. Participants can swap men, women and children’s clothing, accessories, household decor, books and other items. Tickets are $10 per person 12 and up, but 10 gently used items can be used as a ticket.
- Nov. 23, 9:30 a.m. (sorting), 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m. (swapping)
- $10 (tickets)
- 702 Shady Lane, Austin
- www.austinswappin.com
The East Austin restaurant will host its first fall market on Sunday. The event will feature 10 local artists and vendors and live vinyl music spun by Chef Fermín Núñez. The market will have food pop-ups from the Suerte chef team, including tamales, pan dulce and coffee. An outdoor bar will have cocktails and other nonalcoholic beverages. The Suerte restaurant will be open during normal business hours.
- Nov. 24, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
- Free (admission)
- 1800 E. Sixth St., Austin
- www.suerteatx.com